Scottish Parliament

Written Answers

Tuesday 30 November 1999

Scottish Executive

Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the testing for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) at all times achieves the highest standards of accuracy; what criteria must be met in order to have the ban lifted, and how many areas are near to meeting these criteria.

Susan Deacon: The Fisheries Research Services’ Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen undertakes the testing for ASP. They maintain the highest possible standards of accuracy by analysing three samples of both Laboratory Reference Material (LRM) and Domoic Acid standards with every batch of samples tested.

  The ban on scallop fishing will be lifted when toxin levels are consistently below the legal limit and scientific advice indicates that it is safe to do so.

  There is a downward trend in the results of tests for ASP carried out on scallops collected from the North Minches and indeed an area of water in the North Minches was re-opened to scallop fishing on 9 November 1999.

Education

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what is the number and location of courses which were previously offered but have not been validated this year by the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Henry McLeish: There are, to the best of my knowledge, no courses which fall within this definition.

  I understand from UHI, the company promoting the University of the Highlands and Islands Project, that all degree courses approved through UHI in 1998 were also subsequently offered this academic year.

  Securing the validation of proposed courses is the responsibility of UHI and its partner colleges.

Education

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will launch an investigation into why the Fine Arts degree at Moray College, Elgin has not been validated.

Henry McLeish: Validation of proposed new degree courses is a matter between the college and the validating body. I understand that an Open University Validation Service panel met on 28 and 29 June 1999 and agreed to validate the proposed BA in Fine Art, but imposed conditions which Moray College has not yet been able to meet. The College had previously offered a BA in Visual Arts, validated by The Robert Gordon University. That degree has been discontinued.

Education

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to expand the teaching of Scottish history in both primary and secondary schools.

Mr Sam Galbraith: There are no plans to expand the current teaching of Scottish history which is covered within the 5-14 curriculum guidelines, at Standard Grade and within the Higher Still programme.

Enterprise

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the value of Regional Selective Assistance grant awards made to companies in or locating in Scotland for each of the last three financial years and the current financial year and what its projections are for each of the next three financial years.

Henry McLeish: The figures requested are as follows:

  

 

RSA grant payments 
  made to companies in Scotland (£ million) 




1996-97 actual 
  

72.3 
  



1997-98 actual 
  

76.5 
  



1998-99 actual 
  

74.2 
  



1999-2000 plans 
  

79.8 
  



2000-01 plans 
  

71.0 
  



2001-02 plans 
  

5.0 
  



2002-03 plans 
  

85.0 
  



  RSA forecasts take into account the fact that some projects will fail and also include cover for anticipated future demand. Because most RSA projects take place over a period of several years, much of the future years planned spend is already committed.

Enterprise

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any estimate of the financial impact of the proposed changes to Regional Selective Assistance eligibility criteria in respect of geographic coverage for each of the next three financial years.

Henry McLeish: The Ward-based approach adopted for the proposed new Assisted Areas map means that the majority of existing development opportunities would be maintained on the map while several new areas would also be included on the map.

  No specific forecasts have been made to take account of these proposed changes. However, the expectation is that any financial impact which the new map may have on RSA expenditure will be within the normal margin of error when forecasting RSA expenditure some years ahead.

Enterprise

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any estimate of the financial impact of the proposed changes to Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) eligibility criteria in respect of the reduction from 30% to 20% for total project costs covered by RSA.

Henry McLeish: The current aid limits are 30% in Development Areas and 15% in Intermediate Areas, though the majority of assisted projects are aided at a level significantly below these limits. New aid limits have not yet been decided but EU guidelines allow for a maximum of 20% in most Scottish areas on the proposed new Assisted Areas map.

  No specific forecasts have been made to take account of these proposed changes. However, the expectation is that any financial impact which the new map may have on RSA expenditure will be within the normal margin of error when forecasting RSA expenditure some years ahead.

Health

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current financial deficit is of Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust, what the expected level of deficit is for the current financial year and whether it will state the reasons for this deficit.

Susan Deacon: Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust reported a year to date deficit of £4.9 million as at end September 1999. The Trust report the reasons as including the impact of revaluation of their estate on their capital charges; the need to ensure full preparation for the Year 2000 date change; and a range of other cost pressures. The Trust and Tayside Health Board are working jointly on measures to remedy the position.

  In the current financial year, the Scottish Executive has committed over £388 million to Tayside - 4.25% more than last year, and we look to the Trust and Health Board to ensure that a financial balance is achieved over the year as a whole.

  My officials will continue to monitor the position.

Health

Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what is the number of haemophiliacs in Scotland identified as carrying the Hepatitis C virus as a result of contaminated blood products, and what action it intends to take with regard to a compensation programme.

Susan Deacon: We do not hold the information requested centrally. I met the Haemophilia Society last month to hear the concerns of those affected and am considering the issues they raised. Once our enquiries are complete, I shall write to you with further information.

Health

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what is the current cost per patient of providing a high technology bed and the average cost of an ordinary or low technology bed.

Susan Deacon: There is no definition of a high technology or low technology bed. Data that would specifically identify the cost of providing a high technology or low technology bed is not collected centrally. Cost data is collected by specialty or specialty group.

  However, an indication of bed running costs can be obtained if it is assumed that beds within the "specialty" Intensive Care Unit (ICU) equate to high technology and that all other specialties combined equate to low technology. The other specialties can be further disaggregated to show the costs of long stay beds.

  The cost per occupied bed day, inpatients only, in 1998-99 was as follows:

  

 

£ 




Intensive Care Unit 
  

1,120 
  



Other Acute(1) 
  

250 
  



Long Stay(2) 
  

119 
  



  Notes:

  


  1. Includes all specialties/specialty groups other than ICU and the "Long Stay" specialties

  




  2. Geriatric Long Stay, Young Chronic Sick, General Psychiatry, Child Psychiatry, Adolescent Psychiatry and Learning Disabilities

Health

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been a decline in the number of beds available for acute medical and surgical patients as indicated in figures produced by the Information and Statistics Division of the Common Services Agency and whether the number of beds will meet with demand.

Susan Deacon: The reduction in the number of acute and surgical beds over the years reflects the substantial advances in clinical practices and improvements in the pattern of care, which have led to a significant increase in day case surgery and reductions in the length of stay for inpatient treatment.

  It is for Health Boards and NHS Trusts to determine the provision of health care at a local level, taking account of local needs and priorities.

Health

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action, if any, it intends to take regarding recent public concern on the potential health implications of sunbed use.

Susan Deacon: I refer to my answer to Question S1W-2024.

Health

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been received from CoSLA seeking additional powers for local authorities to regulate the operation of sunbed and tanning studios.

Susan Deacon: CoSLA has suggested that this matter could be considered by the Scottish Executive. This might appropriately be undertaken in the context of any future review of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

Health

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what medical advice has been received regarding the positive and negative health implications of sunbed and tanning studios and whether it will publish that advice.

Susan Deacon: Expert advice on the hazards associated with the use of sunbeds has been provided most recently by the National Radiological Protection Board in its report Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Human Health (Stationery Office, 1995). The report recommends that the use of sunbeds and sunlamps for cosmetic tanning should be discouraged. Health Education Board for Scotland leaflets for the public on avoiding cancer and on being safe in the sun confirm that the use of sunbeds is not recommended.

Health

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish figures showing the total number of sunbed and tanning studios in Scotland, broken down by each local authority area and also indicate which of those facilities are manned or unmanned.

Susan Deacon: This information is not held centrally.

Health

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the high rate of childhood leukaemia in the area around the Ministry of Defence firing range at Dundrennan and whether these plans include an investigation into the possible links between the use of depleted uranium ammunition and the high rate of leukaemia in the surrounding area.

Susan Deacon: The incidence of leukaemia and other cancers is continually monitored by the Information and Statistics Division of the National Health Service in Scotland.

  There is no evidence to support the suggestion that there is a high risk of leukaemia among children living near the area around the Dundrennan firing range.

Health

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide education for children and adults with asthma in the effective use of their medication.

Susan Deacon: The medication for asthma varies from person to person, and therefore it is primarily for the prescribing clinicians to instruct patients in the use of their medication. From time to time the Scottish Executive will issue guidance on specific aspects of asthma medication which apply to all patients.

Health

Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a strategy is currently in place to address the health needs of the 310,000 people in Scotland currently receiving treatment for asthma.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive Health Department maintains contact with the National Asthma Campaign (Scotland), which receives grant support under Section 16B of the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978, and from time to time issues general guidance on the treatment of asthma. Strategies for the day-to-day treatment of asthma are however a matter for Health Boards, which are funded to meet the health needs of all people in their areas.

Health

Mrs Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make adequate resources available to promote the use of self-treatment programmes for people with asthma, in the light of evidence that self-treatment plans reduce the need for invasive and costly medical intervention.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive is very much in favour of people with asthma being fully informed about their treatment and as far as possible taking an active role in the management of their condition. The Health Department, at the request of the National Asthma Campaign (Scotland), met the costs of the self-help card Control Your Asthma which is intended as a self-management tool for people with asthma. Supplies of the card are still available.

  It must be borne in mind, however, that the treatment of people with asthma is not identical in every case, and must ultimately be a matter for individual clinical judgement after discussion with the patient and, in the case of young children, the family.

Health

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many consultant clinical and medical oncologists were employed at each of the five Scottish specialist cancer centres in each of the last three years and how many patients were seen per consultant at each centre.

Susan Deacon: The number of consultant clinical and medical oncologists employed at each of the Trusts that contain the five Scottish specialist centres is shown in the attached Table 1. The information is given in terms of whole time equivalent at 30 September of each year. Data are not yet available for 30 September 1999, but we are aware that new appointments have been made. The table should be read in conjunction with the notes below.

  Table 1

  

 

Medical Oncologists 
  


Clinical Oncologists 
  



 

1996 
  

1997 
  

1998 
  

1996 
  

1997 
  

1998 
  



Scotland 
  

9.2 
  

8.0 
  

9.5 
  

31.5 
  

31.8 
  

34.5 
  



Totals (5 Trusts) 
  

6.2 
  

5.9 
  

7.2 
  

27.3 
  

29.0 
  

31.7 
  



Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust 
  

2.6 
  

2.6 
  

2.6 
  

3.0 
  

3.0 
  

3.0 
  



Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

3.0 
  

3.6 
  

4.3 
  



Raigmore Hospital NHS Trust 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

2.0 
  

2.0 
  

2.0 
  



Western General Hospitals NHS Trust 
  

2.3 
  

2.2 
  

2.6 
  

5.6 
  

6.7 
  

7.8 
  



West Glasgow Hospitals University 
  NHS Trust 
  

1.3 
  

1.1 
  

1.9 
  

13.6 
  

13.6 
  

14.6 
  



  Notes:

  1. Source: Medical and dental census ISD Scotland

  2. Staffing data are collected once a year.

  

The whole time 
  equivalent of an individual is calculated by dividing the number 
  of contracted hours/sessions by the normal conditioned hours.


Medical oncology 
  data for Raigmore are recorded under clinical oncology.


No data are 
  available for medical oncology services in Dundee prior to October 
  1998.


It is assumed 
  that the medical and clinical oncologists are working at the specialist 
  centre within the Trust.



  7. The totals for Scotland include oncologists based at other Trusts.

  Table 2 shows the number of patient episodes per consultant at each centre. The figures in the table were arrived at by adding the number of patient episodes for each centre for medical oncology and for clinical oncology and dividing by the whole time equivalent consultant figures given in Table 1. Patient episodes comprise inpatient, outpatient and day case episodes. The number of patient episodes is not the same as the number of patients, as the number of visits by an individual patient varies according to the type and stage of the disease. The figures do not include outreach patients seen outwith the centre and do not show the total workload per consultant. The table should be read in conjunction with the notes below.

  Table 2

  

 

Medical Oncology 
  


Clinical Oncology 
  



 

1997 


1998 


1999 


1997 


1998 


1999 




Aberdeen Royal Infirmary 
  

2,816.9 
  

2,803.8 
  

3,064.6 
  

1,497 
  

1,692.6 
  

2,228.7 
  



Ninewells Hospital 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

2,761.3 
  

2,250 
  

1,615.1 
  



Raigmore Hospital 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

2,598 
  

2,923 
  

3,032.5 
  



Western General Hospital Edinburgh 
  

5,343.9 
  

6,734.5 
  

5,627.3 
  

2,621.6 
  

2,400.2 
  

2,776.9 
  



Western Infirmary, Glasgow 
  

2,913.8 
  

3,920 
  

5,538.4 
  

3,116.7 
  

2,928.9 
  

1,709.9 
  



  Notes:

  


  1. Staffing data referred to in Table 1 are collected once a year and do not reflect average staffing levels throughout the year to which the patient activity refers. Patient activity data are collected quarterly. Information given is based on figures at 31 March 1997-99. Quarters ending June 1998 to March 1999 are provisional.

  



  2. No data are available for medical oncology services in Dundee prior to October 1998.

  


  3. Medical oncology data for Raigmore are recorded under clinical oncology.

  




  4. Medical oncology outpatient attendances at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow were included in the clinical oncology outpatient attendances for September 1998 and earlier.

Health

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what new investment in cancer services, in terms of (a) drugs and (b) staffing, each Scottish health board has made in each of the last three years.

Susan Deacon: In keeping with the priority that we attach to cancer, the Scottish Cancer Group has been set up to take forward at national level the further development of cancer services. The Group’s tasks include the establishment of robust systems of clinical audit to underpin quality assurance systems, the development of waiting time targets for cancer services and the establishment of managed clinical networks.

  Specific financial information related to new investment in cancer services at local level is not, however, held centrally. Health Boards are given an annual general revenue allocation. It is for Health Boards to determine within the funds available how to manage and deliver local healthcare services that meet the healthcare needs of their resident populations, including cancer services, one of the clinical priorities for the NHS in Scotland.

Health

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail any ongoing research into the potential of the new meningitis C vaccine for removing the possibility of those vaccinated becoming carriers of meningitis group C.

Susan Deacon: A study involving 50,000 school pupils in seven centres in the UK, including Glasgow is planned to commence shortly. It will examine the carriage of meningococcal bacteria before and after the introduction of the Men C vaccine over a period of three years. The Scottish Executive will contribute to the cost of the study.

Health

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive to specify the number of people in Scotland who suffer from multiple sclerosis and who have received Beta Interferon treatment in the past year and to breakdown the number for each Health Board area.

Susan Deacon: A total of 163 people in Scotland who suffer from multiple sclerosis received Beta Interferon treatment in the past year.

  This information is given on a national basis in order not to disclose information that may relate to an individual.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on visits to schools by school dentists and health visitors and in particular on the recommended frequency of such visits.

Susan Deacon: The policy on dental screening is that children in local education authority schools should have a minimum of three dental checks during their school career.

  Health visitors are not normally expected to visit schools, although they may have some involvement in relation to specific local projects.

Health

Michael Matheson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to include resource transfer within Scottish Health Service Costs, prepared by the Information and Statistics Division and published annually.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Health Service Costs book is subject to ongoing development to reflect continuing changes to the health service in Scotland. At present the issue of what should be included in respect of funds transferred out of the Health Service to support community facilities is one of many being discussed.

Health

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to allow qualified medical herbalists to work in primary health care alongside NHS professionals.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive endorses the position taken by successive Governments for many years, that complementary or alternative therapies may offer relief to some people suffering from a wide variety of conditions. Legislation allows practitioners of such therapies to offer their services, subject only to some general restrictions such as those on prescribing and supplying medicines and giving injections. Members of the public are free to use these services privately if they choose, and a GP or hospital clinician may refer a patient for alternative treatment. The GP or hospital clinician would require to be satisfied of the value of the treatment and the competence of the practitioner, and would remain responsible for the patient’s medical care. It is also open to Health Boards to provide alternative therapies.

  Many forms of alternative therapy are already available as NHS treatment. The Scottish Office Department of Health’s National Medical Advisory Committee produced, in November 1996, a report on the current activity levels in acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy and chiropractic, which included guidelines for Health Boards on making purchasing arrangements for their provision. These guidelines, as the report made clear, might be applied to other forms of alternative therapy. Herbal medicine would come into that category. The guidelines do not, however, require Boards to purchase particular therapies, which is a matter for the Boards, based on assessment of need in their areas.

Housing

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Glasgow Housing Stock Transfer ballot will take place in November 2000 and, if not, why not.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Council confirmed in a letter to its tenants last week that November 2000 was the target date for the ballot.

Justice

David McLetchie (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what target guidelines it has given to Judges and Sheriffs on the length of time that it believes should elapse between the conclusion of a hearing and the delivery of a judgement.

Mr Jim Wallace: There are no guidelines on these matters, which are entirely for the independent judiciary. The length of time required to prepare and deliver a judgement will vary depending on the complexity of the issues which the Judge or Sheriff has to resolve.

Justice

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recent court decision relating to temporary Sheriffs applies to temporary Judges of the Court of Session and, if so, what assessment it has made of its implications, how many (a) adjourned cases and (b) continued cases are at present before temporary Judges and what proposals it has for dealing with them.

Mr Jim Wallace: With regard to criminal trials, standing the decision in Starrs, the Lord Advocate has decided that cases will not be prosecuted before temporary Judges. I understand that the Lord President has decided that no new civil cases will be allocated to temporary Judges meantime. There are no adjourned trials before a temporary Judge. Four criminal cases require to be called before temporary Judges for sentence. One temporary Judge is engaged in three civil cases, in two of which the parties have agreed that he should continue to hear the case. In the third civil case the question of whether the temporary Judge should continue to deal with the matter remains before the court for consideration.

Police

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the percentage is of female officers at each rank within each Scottish police force and within the Scottish Crime Squad.

Mr Jim Wallace: The percentage of female officers at each rank within each Scottish police force and within the Scottish Crime Squad as at 31 March 1999 are shown below.

  


Force 


Chief Constable 
  


Assistant Chief 
  Constable 


Superintendent 
  


Chief Inspector 
  


Inspector 
  


Sergeant 
  


Constable 
  



 

% 
  

% 
  

% 
  

% 
  

% 
  

% 
  

% 
  



Central 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

2.9 
  

6.9 
  

16.3 
  



Dumfries
& Galloway 
  

 - 
  

 - 
  

 - 
  

 - 
  

 5 
  

 7.1 
  

 21.2 
  



Fife 
  

- 
  

- 
  

11.1 
  

8.3 
  

- 
  

4.6 
  

17.9 
  



Grampian 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

5 
  

4.3 
  

5.9 
  

20.4 
  



Lothian
& Borders 
  

 - 
  

 - 
  

 5.6 
  

 2.7 
  

 3.9 
  

 7.5 
  

 17.5 
  



Northern 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

- 
  

3.7 
  

15.6 
  



Strathclyde 
  

- 
  

14.3 
  

3.8 
  

3.9 
  

3.2 
  

6.5 
  

18 
  



Tayside 
  

- 
  

- 
  

7.1 
  

- 
  

5.1 
  

7 
  

20 
  



  The percentages shown are for female officers as a percentage of the total officers at that rank within each force.

  16.6% of the constables in the Scottish Crime Squad are female. There are no female officers above that rank.